Delta Skymiles new unpublished fares mileage accrual

Interesting how Delta has discreetly rolled out new mileage accrual rates for many “unpublished” fares starting September 1, 2012. This is terrible news as some of the deeply discounted fares will earn as little as 25% of the actual mileage. Even full fare economy won’t earn full mileage, it will accrue at 75%. But there is salvation for bookings through Asia, read more below.

Delta provides some examples of “unpublished” fares as the below, but as they’re just example I’m assuming almost any type of ticket not directly bought through them can be “unpublished.”

Examples of Unpublished fares include:

Student fares

Consolidator fares

Flights included as part of a cruise package

Discounted tour packages

Group fares

The new mileage accrual chart:

Unpublished Fare Mileage Earn Table

Unpublished Fare Class of Service

Miles*

MQMs*

First/Business – J, C, D, S, I, F, P, A

150%

100%

Premium Economy – Y, B, M

100%

100%

Economy, H

75%

75%

Discounted Economy – Q, K, L

50%

50%

Deeply Discounted Economy – U, T, E

25%

25%

* 500 minimum mileage does not apply.

I zeroed out my Skymiles account a few years ago and don’t plan on flying with Delta anytime soon, I think their program is just atrocious, especially now. I suggest you make a complaint to the company or better yet, bring your business to another airline. I think oneworld and Star Alliance are both great programs with better redemption values and availability.

However, one interesting note, and great for us in Asia, Delta will treat tickets purchased in Asia Pacific the same as before and earn full mileage. So for my readers buying tickets in Asia, not to worry yet, you’ll still get full mileage as long as you use a booking channel in the region. If you are not in Asia, and want to book an unpublished fare, try an agency or subsidiary based in Asia. Off the top of my head Guam a US territory and also uses USD. For Hong Kong, HKD is pegged to the USD so Hong Kong is always a good bet too. Australia is also a big market for travelers but you may have some FX discrepancies.

“Special and unpublished fare tickets purchased in the Asia Pacific region will continue to earn full mileage credit based on the current SkyMiles program rules. Countries and territories of the Asia Pacific region are defined as:”